Match Reports
2-1: What a match and what a victory!
UD Almería bounced back in 5 minutes from conceding the opener to clinch their fifth back-to-back victory which keeps them in second place. Electric atmosphere in the Stadium. Luis Suárez dedicated his leveller to injured Baba, and Melero grabbed the match-winning goal
UD Almería clinched a truly epic, spectacular comeback victory over rivals Granada CF amid an electric atmosphere in the Stadium with more than 13,000 jubilant spectators in the stands. The Andalusian neighbours took the lead shortly before half-time, but the Indálicos, who never give up, insisted until they came back from behind in just 5 minutes (83' and 88') with goals courtesy from Luis Suárez, who dedicated his equaliser to injured Baba, and Gonzalo Melero. The Rojiblancos celebrated their fifth back-to-back victory to remain comfortably in automatic promotion spots.
After winning big (4-0) the postponed match against Córdoba CF last Tuesday, changes (6) to the starting XI were expected. Keeper and co-captain Fernando put the gloves on again; Marc Pubill played as a right-back; Edgar returned to the centre of defence after serving a one-game ban; Centelles played ahead of Bruno Langa; Gui took Baba's position and Leo Baptistao regained a starting spot. They were the fresh faces in the Starting line-up in which Chumi, Lopy, Arribas, the above-mentioned Bruno Langa and Luis Suárez were part of the team roster one more week.
It was a first half with alternate dominance. The battle was fierce and hard-fought. It was no wonder that there were two serious candidates for promotion to Primera division on the pitch. Perhaps, the Nazaríes (Granada CF) had the ball for longer spells and created more dangerous chances. They made the most of UD Almería's mistake so that Uzuni beat Fernando. It was stoppage time and this opener took the hosts by surprise before heading down the tunnel, although Leo Baptistao was close to levelling things up against Mariño (0-1).
At the start of the second period, Rubi made key changes. Melero, who would grab the match-winning goal, replaced Gui Guedes and minutes later, Pozo and Arnau Puigmal entered the pitch to take over the right wing because both would take leading roles in creating a myriad of threatening situations in the final third.
The UD Almería players began to command, to outclass the Granadinistas, to keep the ball, to dominate rivals who certainly did not make it easy. Rubi's side insisted and insisted and as the minutes passed they put them on the ropes. In the 83rd minute, a great pass from Melero to Luis Suárez helped the Colombian equalise to whip the fans into a frenzy. In the 88th minute, the top scorer put it on a plate for team-mate Gonzalo Melero who broke the deadlock to bag 3 massive points. The Stadium roared. It was no wonder. Spectacular.
Match summary
UD Almería
LALIGA HYPERMOTION · M17
2
-
1
UD Almería Stadium
Granada CF
Line-ups
18Marc Pubill61’
21Chumi
05Pablo Insua
06M. Hongla88’
09Luis Javier90’
10M. Uzuni
12Leonardo Micali Carrilho Baptistão71’
19Reinier66’
Substitutes
Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia
Fran Escribá
01Luca Zidane
02Arnau Puigmal61’
04Kaiky
17T. Corbeanu
16Aleksandar Radovanovic
34Quintanilla
Goals
(0 - 1)
M. Uzuni
45’
Luis Javier
82’
(1 - 1)
Gonzalo Melero
86’
(2 - 1)
Match officials
Eder Mallo Fernández
Referee
Samuel García Aguilera
Lineman#1
Josep Antoni Vigo Gatius
Lineman#2
Alejandro Clemente Ortuño
Fourth official
Miguel Sesma Espinosa
Video Assistant Referee
Miguel Ortuño Sierra
Assistant VAR Official
Rubi: 'We've staged a comeback based on good football'
Press conference
0-1: UD Almería 'B' win in Estepona as they extend unbeaten streak away from home
Academy
4-0: UD Almería Women notch up convincing victory to extend unbeaten streak to 10
Women's Team
Tickets for Sunday's match in Málaga up for grabs
First Team